Commonly used natural hair terms

Today’s post is about one of my passions – natural hair. Gentlemen, you will have to bear with us for a moment while the ladies talk about natural hair lol.

If you have natural-haired friends, you might have heard them use some terms you wonder what they are talking about when you hear them, so I’ve compiled a summary of a few to help you understand and know a bit about natural hair.

BC (Big Chop): Cutting off all relaxed portions of the hair, leaving only new growth

TWA: Teeny Weeny Afro)

My teeny-weeny afro two weeks post Big Chop

Co-wash : is washing/cleansing hair with conditioner in place of shampoo.

ACV : Apple Cider Vinegar – Used as a final rinse in dilute form after shampooing and before conditioning. It seals and tightens the cuticle layer for improved shine and smoothness.

Baggy : This is covering the hair at night with a plastic shower cap for the purpose of enhancing moisture. This helps reduce breakage, split ends and dryness.

Banding : is a heat free method of stretching hair using elastic bands affixed on small section of hair from to root to ends.

Clarifying : is cleansing and removing build-up of oils and styling products using shampoo or rinses.

Silicones or ‘Cones’: chemicals added to hair products for shine, flexibility, reduce frizz, heat protection, form a water-resistant barrier around the hair shaft and seal the cuticle layer.

DT or DC – Deep treatment or deep conditioner: applied after cleansing, allowed to sit for 15 – 30 minutes under a dryer or shower cap.

EO (Essential Oils) : To maintain the odours and tastes and are sometimes used to nourish the hair and scalp.

EVCO : Extra Virgin Coconut Oil; Used as a natural hair care product for shine and to seal in moisture because it can penetrate hair and skin.

EVOO : Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Used as a natural hair care product for shine and used as a pre-shampoo treatment.

HG(Holy Grail) :Products that one has tried, achieved good results with and remains loyal to

HIH (Hand in Hair) :This is when one continually touches or manipulates her hair. It is considered to be a compulsion and a habit that, which cause the hair to frizz or even break, if not controlled.

Locks/Locs :A hairstyle done in small sections of hair twisted and over time, the strands become permanently secured.

Nappyversary : The anniversary of the day one decided to “go natural” and to refrain from applying chemical straighteners (relaxers) to the hair.

Pineappleing : Pulling hair into one or several pony puffs, (depending on hair length), using covered or ouch less bands. .

PJ (Product Junky) : A person who buys a lot of different products

Pre-Poo : Oils, conditioners and other products applied to hair prior to shampooing to enhance moisture and conditioning during cleansing

Sealing : Applying a product or single ingredient, such as a natural oil, to the hair to help lock in moisture.

Shrinkage : A term used to describe the reduction of the visual length of hair.

Shrinkage is real!

Slip : A state produced by a product whereby the palms of the hands, the fingers and/or a detangling comb are able to easily and smoothly glide along the hair shaft, from root to tip.

SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) : is a chemical found in a lot of personal care products like shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, body wash and soaps. When buying products, avoid the ones with SLS as it can cause irritation.

Stretch : is straightening ones hair through different techniques.

My heatless method of hair stretching with African thread. This is also one of my go-to protective styles

Transitioning : This is the process letting one’s hair is allowed to grow in, then trim off the previously chemically treated hair.

Wash ‘N’ Go : is a style achieved with a gel or styling cream applied to wet or dump hair left to dry.

Fluff : The use of fingers to shape or add volume to natural hair.

Plopping : Using a clean T-Shirt to dry washed hair in place of a towel. It prevents over drying of hair and helps retain moisture

Protective Styling : A hairstyle that helps protect the ends of hair from dehydration and damage and is done with little manipulation

Bantu Knots are also one my favourite protective styles

Porosity: is hair ability to absorb and retain moisture.

Hair Types: 1/2a/2b/2c/ 3a/3b/3c/4a/4b/4c

Type 1 : Naturally straight hair

Type 2 : loose-wavy hair

Type 3 : Curly hair

Type 4 : Coily hair

Hair length:

APL :Arm Pit Length

BSL : Bra Strap Length

CBL :Collar Bone Length

MBL: Mid Back Length

I hope you find this post you find this post help and you’ve learnt a thing or two about natural hair.